There’s always that one family on the block that goes all out decorating for the holidays, turning their home into a spectacle of lights and festive decor inside and out.
On the Midpeninsula, Filoli is the publicly accessible embodiment of that neighborhood home, a popular holiday destination for its elegant decorations and lights aplenty. Learn how to deck the halls of your home like Filoli in Karla Kane’s story.
Untangling Christmas lights,
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
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Deck the halls, Filoli-style
When it comes to decorating for the holidays, it’s hard to top Filoli. The historic estate in Woodside goes all out, transforming its grounds into a winter wonderland each year.
Congrats to Joe M., who was the first reader to correctly identify where the Nov. 20 trivia photo was taken (it’s the Immigrant House at Heritage Park in Mountain View!).
The first person to reply to this email with the correct place where the below photo was taken will win a prize from The Six Fifty and a shoutout in our next newsletter!
Be sure to check out our holiday events guide for more things to do!
Holiday Markets at Little Green: Dec. 6, 11 and 20 Little Green hosts a holiday market each Saturday in December leading up to the holidays, featuring different vendors and artisans each week.
Edible & Medicinal Plant and Mushroom Walk: Dec. 6 Forager and herbalist Cindy Li leads a guided walk to discover edible, medicinal and poisonous plants and fungi of the region.
Allied Arts Christmas Market: Dec. 6 Find craft vendors, live music, treats, a mini Christmas tree silent auction, live music and more.
Holiday Lights Spectacular: Dec. 6 Westlake Shopping Center in Daly City hosts an evening of festive music and holiday laser light shows, plus selfies with Santa and Frosty the Snowman and treats while supplies last.
BayLUG LEGO Holiday Show: Dec. 6-Jan. 10 Palo Alto’s annual LEGO show this year has the theme of “Great American Road Trip.”
Ada & The Engine: Through Dec. 7 The Pear Theatre presents popular playwright Lauren Gunderson’s show about visionary mathematician Ada Lovelace, sometimes called the first computer programmer.
The Blind Boys of Alabama: Dec. 12 The gospel and soul ensemble makes a stop in Menlo Park as part of its Christmas tour.
Hysterical: Marie Faustin: Dec. 13 Comedian, actor and host of the dating game show “Why Are You Single?” performs at Stanford’s Bing Studio.
Harley Farms Christmas Faire: Dec. 13-14 Bring the family to the Pescadero goat dairy for carolers, tamales, wine and cheese, hot apple cider, Santa Claus, face painting and artisan vendors.
Gingerbread House Decorating Contest: Dec. 14 Drink beer at Taplands Taproom while decorating gingerbread houses with friends. Prizes will be awarded for the best house.
Plan Ahead:
Devil’s Canyon Holiday Market: Dec. 19 Find wares by 20 local artisans for sale alongside Devil Canyon’s weekly Beer Friday event, featuring food trucks, live music and craft beer.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair: Through Dec. 21 The Cow Palace transforms into a Victorian England winter wonderland of entertainment, shops, foods and, of course, Dickensian characters.
It’s A Wonderful Life: Dec. 24 The Stanford Theatre’s holiday screenings of the classic film are a Peninsula tradition. Tickets go on sale Dec. 6.
Guided Walk at Gray Whale Cove: Jan. 10 Docents lead a two-hour walk along Gray Whale Cove Trail, including evidence of the remnants of the Ocean Shore Railroad and WWII-era bunkers, plus views of the ocean, coastal plants and birds.
San Mateo on Ice: Through Jan. 11 Central Park transforms into an ice skating rink for the holiday season, with sessions available during the day and under the stars.
Club Fox Blues Jam’s 20th Anniversary Concert: Jan. 16 The Club Fox Blues Jam is celebrating two decades of jamming with a special concert featuring The Daniel Castro Band, The Chris Cain Band, The Greaseland All-Stars and The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra, concluding with a big jam session, naturally.
Brian Barth: Jan. 19 Kepler’s Books hosts investigative journalist Brian Barth to discuss his book “Front Street: Resistance and Rebirth in the Tent Cities of Techlandia,” an immersive look into Silicon Valley’s homeless encampments.
A growing tradition: At Christmastime, Peninsulans flock to the Santa Cruz Mountains to cut down their own trees
U-cut Christmas tree farms Skyline Ranch and Lone Star are rooted in the generations that run and support them.
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